Oldham Council has formally objected to a proposal to build nearly 1,400 homes in Rochdale near its border with the borough.

Last month, plans were lodged to build 1,380 homes on a patch of Green Belt land off Rochdale Road and south of the M62, near Stakehill Industrial Estate.

The application seeks full planning permission for 233 homes, while the remaining 1,147 houses are for outline only.

The proposal from Redrow Homes also includes the potential for shops, a 13.4 hectare park and an extension to St John's Primary School.

According to the design and access statement, 233 homes consisting of two, three, four and five-bedroom properties, of which 15 per cent are designated as affordable housing, would be built in the first phase of the development.

However, Oldham Council has now objected to the plans, following a meeting of the planning committee on Wednesday (October 18).

This was due to the "harm" it will have on the surrounding area and on the Atom Valley plans, along with the fact the application has been proposed before the Greater Manchester-wide Places for Everyone plan has been adopted, according to the council's head of planning, Peter Richards.

The Oldham Times: A sketch of the proposed developmentA sketch of the proposed development (Image: Redrow Homes)

The site falls under part of the Stakehill allocation in the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan.

The Stakehill allocation is a cross-boundary allocation covering parts of both Rochdale and Oldham boroughs, with residential development proposed to the north of Stakehill Industrial Estate, while employment development is proposed to the south and east of the estate.

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At the meeting of the planning committee, Mr Richards said as part of the Place for Everyone plan, any proposed development must work within the masterplan for the area, which will be prepared by Oldham Council and Rochdale Council.

Mr Richards explained that the masterplan has not yet been drawn up, as the Places for Everyone plan is still in the stage of public consultation after government-appointed inspectors modified the councils' plans.

The Oldham Times: An outline of the site proposed for developmentAn outline of the site proposed for development (Image: Redrow Homes)

Mr Richards told members of the planning committee: "The fact is, this application has come in too soon."

The planning committee members voted unanimously in favour of objecting to the proposal. 

Rochdale Council will decide on whether or not to approve the application at a later date.